Hi to everyone from Down Under!

This week I traded my C32 for a w211 2003 E55 (build date 01/2003). I love it. The torque is just amazing. What a great car.

Just one problem - after spending $200k (Australian Dollars) it doesn't have an Auxiliary input jack! I REALLY want to play mp3s either from an external source or from CD or DVD.

I've searched the forum for 12 hours and cannot find a solution.
I would really appreciate everyones help. The C32 had a jack in the glove box - the E55 most definitely doesnt. Here are the facts -

I have a DVD based COMAND system (single slot DVD/CD player in the front unit, no TV tuner) with in-built (in the COMAND unit - not glove box) 6 stacker CD. It will NOT play a DVD or CD written with mp3 files (using Nero,as data files) in any of the slots. It will play DVD movies - audio and video at standstill and I can listen to the audio once the car is in motion. It play CDs and computer written compilation CDs (most of the time).

The COMAND system itself will bring up AUX as an option if the audio button is pushed. If I select AUX I have the option of changing the music settings BUT WHERE IS THE INPUT JACK !

I looked in the glove compartment with a torch and portable flourescent light and there most definitely is no jack there and no "bump" where it could be.

One thread suggested there is a 4 prong white connector in the door sill wiring - I removed the trim but no white connector - just dozens of wires and 4 or five black connectors with small round holes and a few fibre optic cables.
(as I have a RHD car I removed the trim on the LHS - where the glove compartment is).
While poking around behind the COMAND/centre consol I found a 4mm black cable which looks like it has a small co-axial end to it. The end was covered (?to protect it ?) with black fabric/material. Could this be useful? Is it for the TV option I dont have?

The 3-5-7 "trick" tells me my car is set to w211-ECE.

Here is what I really need to know -
1. Is there a software upgrade to allow me to play mp3 CDs or mp3 DVDs in the COMAND system?
2. Is there an Aux jack/connector somewhere else that I can access? - I find it frustrating the there is the option on the COMAND system of an AUX input but no jack.
3. If I could access the back of the COMAND system is there some where to plug in a 3.5mm stereo connector or even push wires into the C2 connector into pins 4,5,13,14? so I can use the AUX function?

Since changing the COMAND is likely to cost thousands of dollars thats not really an option.
I've tried the FM modulator and the sound is really not that good.
I dont care if I can't bring up the file names etc on the COMAND screen as long as I can use the audio controls on the unit and steering wheel.

I've attached some picture to show you the car and the COMAND system.

ANY help would be very much appreciated

 

Here are the pictures.

 

Hi there! Beautiful car!!!

Your command looks like my EURO-Spec COMAND unit...I know you've looked around the glove box, but to just confirm, my US E55's Aux jack is located in the glove box, dead center on the top shelf of the box.

Going based on what I know about US cars, I don't think it matters that you have a TV tuner...as it only provides aux jacks for video. All the US W211 with COMAND have the aux jack and none have tv tuners...at least the ones I've seen.

As far as MP3 capability, I believe that was an '05 thing.

Switching COMAND units isn't as expensive as you think. SteveNL has great deals on COMAND swaps.

Could you post a picture of your glove box?

 

Thanks onesixeight.
I would think its a Euro model.
Attached are photos of the glove box - a difficult place to photograph!.
first is looking towards the centre consol - note cheap plastic shelf!
second is looking the otherway.
third is the bottom shelf and fourth the top shelf.

any help much appreciated.

I suspect Steve doesn't come to Australia very often - but I'd be interested if he did.

 

Oz...

I don't see it... What a tease...you got the setting but no jack.

The COMAND install is quick and easy. I did mine in about 20 minutes. I'm sure something can be arranged with Steve to swap your box with an MP3 capable one. But that doesn't solve the AUX jack...any notes in the manual about a AUX jack location?

Any of the AUS members know where the AUX jack might be?

Sorry bud, I wish I could provide more assistance

 

Thanks onesixeight,

The COMAND manual has about four lines on the AUX input setting on the COMAND, but there is no mention of its location.

 

My sister has an Ipod and has a Adapter which runs through the radio. You just set it onto a station you dont get or listen to and turn it to that, and it works perfectly.

 

OzE55, Im in melbourne.
iL show your the pics of the AUX jack in mine.
il go take some shots now.

 

red circle marks the spot

 

Thanks for the photos ChemO.

I went and looked again - not there.

The roof of the glovebox is perfectly smooth and flat. There isn't any indentation where your jack is. It doesn't feel like I could pop out a piece of the glove box to reveal anything.

If removing the glovebox interior was easy (and someone posted instructions) I might try that.

 

If it is any help, my Australian spec E500 Wagon has the same aux plug as ChemO.

 

Could the factory have mistakenly put in the wrong panel without the hole for the aux jack? Kind of a far off thought...I just can't see why your COMAND would indicate a AUX setting without the jack.

 

onesixeight - thats why I'm going insane.

It make no sense to me either.
My mates E500 ?2004 has the jack in the glove box.

I think this must be something to do with it being an early 2003 build.

I've looked all around the phone in the arm rest and taken the base of the phone consol out to reveal the wiring - nothing looks like an unused connector or AUX jack. I checked under the dash board/glove box and in the ash tray area - no luck.

I appreciate all the suggestion. Keep 'em coming.

 

The early 2003s (manufacture date 2002) have a different glovebox lock that doesn't have the space for the AUX jack...if it would have been a simple mater of swapping the cover only (which IS a separate part) it wouldn't have been too difficult - but the entire lock is different.

You can update the comand software (we have discs for that incase your MB dealer doesn't know what you are asking for) after which the comand will be able to play MP3 files.
We also have the MP3 compatible W211 CD changers in case you are interested in that...

btw: I was in Brisbane last november...not that that does you any good at this moment though...

greetingz,

 

Steve,
Thank-you for your input. As I understand it the 'compliance plate' on the B pillar door opening of my car says Jan. 2003 as the manufacture date - I supose it could have actually come off the production line in 2002.
The most important thing to me is to get it all to work.
I will talk to my dealer tommorrow and see what they say about the COMAND software upgrade. How much are the discs anyway ?

Steve, when you say you have mp3 CD changers - do they replace the existing in dash/COMAND unit? Idea of cost and instillation requirements?
If you've been to Brisbane you must travel an awful lot!

Thank-you. I will post the outcome of the dealer discussion.

I still dont understand why there is a facility in the COMAND for AUX, but no jack!

 

...these update discs barely cost 10USD each...

...The MP3 CD changer replaces your current CD changer (the 6 disc changer underneath the comand)...

...yes - I do travel a fair bit ...

greetingz,

 

so steve, when you planning on visiting Australia again? Business and Leisure

 

Steve,
I spoke to the Dealer today. They said there are 4 software upgrades available for the COMAND. I explained I needed the one with mp3 capabilities.
I suspect they will tell me they have no idea.
Do you know which upgrade I need? Does it have a code?

Thanks.

 

...leisure...what is that?
...always the latest available version...

greetingz,

 

The dealer is going to "try" the COMAND software upgrade tommorrow.
I'll let you all know the outcome.

 

EUREKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It Works!


Went back to the dealer today to try the COMAND software upgrade. One of the Techs. has an interest in COMANDS and fast cars - so he was fantastic!

Upgraded the software and now I can play mp3 CDs and even better - mp3 DVDs. Over 1000 files. It takes about 20seconds to load but the file name comes up on the COMAND screen and in the speedo screen.

I've attached 3 photos - sorry one in blurred.

Still dont know where the AUX jack is but the tech thinks its in the RHS (drivers-side) door sill for connection.
Doesn't matter now. The mp3 DVD holds about 50hours of music - so who need an iPod.

Thanks to Carl for the upgrade and also to Steve for making the suggestion.

 

nope it definitely is NOT...on the 211s the AUX plug is wired from the glovebox directly through the dash into the back of the comand...on 203s and 209s the cars have the mentioned connector at the pass side doorsill...

If you want AUX, you can just get the AUX wire from MB and plug it into the back of the comand...instead of having it sit in the glovebox (where it won't fit in your car due to the lock that is used in the early 211s) you can have it sit somewhere else...

greetingz,

 

Steve,
Thank-you for the correction and again thanks for your invaluable help!

 

no problem - you're welcome

greetingz,

 

Hi OzE55, glad at least u can get MP3 playing, when u have the update do they gice u an invoice? Is it possible u can take a picture of the invoice so I can show to my dealer? I ask several times they said no update....they only know the Brake Software update.....hmm....sometime they just don't what is going on....so sad. Pls post if u can thanks a lot, and congrat to join the E55 club.